(obsolete) Pre-eminent superiority; pre-excellence.

(formal) A title of respect for females used when referring to heads of state, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, certain ecclesiastics, royalty, and others holding equivalent rank.

(formal) A title of respect for males used when referring to heads of state, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, ecclesiastics such as Catholic Bishops, Nuncios, royalty and those of equivalent rank.

(formal) A title of respect used when addressing heads of state other than monarchs, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, certain ecclesiastics, royalty, and others holding equivalent rank.